Benjamin Richardson

• School of International Affairs

• B.S. INTA 2001

Benjamin Richardson is the deputy director of Information and Industrial Base Protection at the Department of Defense. He has also previously been director of Global Markets and Investments at Department of Defense, FOCI Operations Division Chief for Defense Security Service, and a senior consultant at Protiviti. Richardson has also held several positions with the US Marine Corps including JROTC Project Officer for First Marine Corps District, Intelligence Staff Officer for First Marine Division, and Platoon and Company Commander for Third Intelligence Battalion.

How did Tech and the Nunn School help you get where you are?

To say the least, Georgia Tech is a hard school. The faculty challenges you from many perspectives, which forces you to develop a sense of self-reliance. I’ve been placed in a number of challenging situations since leaving Tech and I’ve felt very prepared based on my experiences at Tech.

What advice you would give current students at Tech as well as the Sam Nunn School specifically?

Engage in as many internships, special programs, co-ops, etc. that you can participate. There are so many great programs that Georgia Tech and the Sam Nunn School can connect students. Those experiences will help you identify what you want to do with your career and also differentiate you from your peers. 

What is something that you got from studying International Affairs at Tech?

The Sam Nunn School provided me a solid basis to engage on equal footing with many of my peers on issues related to international affairs. However, it’s the unique nature of the Georgia Tech curriculum and engagement with so many peers studying STEM subjects that make you unique. Technology drives much of the international engagement today and studying INTA at Tech prepares you for those discussions.